Smith & Wesson 637 questions

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detructo4130

New member
Ok friday i am picking up a model 637 airweight in 38special+p i hear alot of things as far as recoil goes i have shot alot of things those of you out there that have actually shot a 38 airweight would you please give me some honest opinions on the felt recoil. And how it compares to other things. Thanks.
 
I shot mainly plain .38 and warm handloads with cast bullets (+P but barely).

It isn't a painful gun to shoot, but after 100 rounds I notice my elbow is sore, and I have never had that happen with any other handgun. It's not terribly hard to control, but the SA trigger is pretty light while the DA trigger is fairly heavy (I guess that's common on J frames). I find it's easier to cock it in recoil with the offhand thumb and shoot SA. I found that any other grips were an asset (I have big hands). The stock boot grips are pretty small. I have shot mine plenty and never had any finish problems with it, but then I don't clean it that thoroughly; never cared about that.
 
For what it's worth.... I love my 637, but quite honestly it's not something I want to bring to the range with four or five boxes of ammo. It does have a bit of recoil, but it'a not unmanagable by any means. I carry mine on a daily basis. I bring it to the range every once in a while to shoot my carry bullets through it, and then load it up with fresh ammo (about every three months or so). It's a very accurate little revolver. The 637 has an almost non-existant problem with bullet pull (compared to the lighter titanium pistols), but it can happen on occasion with light loads (115 grains or less)
Now.... With that said, I sent it back to S&W last Thursday for repair. The clearcoat was peeling off. I've read that S&W will always refinish these guns when the paint peels, and I've read that their service department is second to none. I'll let you know how I make out.... I've only owned it since January of '05. I don't use harsh cleaners like gun scrubber, but I carry it in a pocket holster and attribute the peeling (mostly on the backstrap) to other things in my pocket possably clanking against it.
Anyway... Its a great little revolver, and for about $350.00 new, it's a great deal. Go ahead and but it. Buy an Uncle Mikes pocket holster. It costs about $17.00 and it's a great way to carry the gun. It keeps it upright, protected, and keeps the revolver from printing. I hope this helps.... Rc
 
I've had a 637 for over a year now and it is my 95% of the time (sometimes i carry my 1911 weather/clothing permitting) and i take it to the range on every trip. Even with the original boot grips, I find no problem with the recoil or accuracy at all. I generally shoot WWB at the range and have fired 100-200 in a session many times with no discomfort. Even with my carry ammo,(158 gr lswchp +p) it is certainly not painful, but recoil is definitely much more stout, and i wouldnt want to shoot 100 rounds of it, but i cant afford to, so its a non-issue :). as far as +p loads, in a self defense or like 20 rounds or so of practice situation, its stout but quite manageable and not painful or even uncomfortable for me. also, FWIW, I'm 5'5" 147lbs with medium hands, so 'im not some big 'ol bruiser saying this to you :)
 
I recently purchased a 637 and have only shot 148 gr. wadcutters through it. These are mild loads but are actually effective defense rounds, especially when not trying to penetrate heavy winter clothing.

I was pleasantly surprised at the felt recoil. Of course, this was after firing my 3 inch Kimber .45 which has a lot of bite. Next time at the range, I'm going to try some +P hollowpoints.

Keep in mind that snubbies aren't really designed for all day shooting. If you want to do that, pick out a full size revolver. Snubbies are meant to be carried a lot.
 
My 637 was one of four recent POJ from S&W. NIB and non-functional. The finish peeled off. The action gave me problems twice and I experienced bullet pull once. I traded it off for a 2" M10-11 in blue. I cannot say one positive word about the 637.
 
...The clearcoat was peeling off...

I've found the 637 ok to shoot with +P loads as long as I use my Uncle Mike's glove.

Read on only if you have a sense of humor:

As to the clearcoat peeling off...it's like a bad sunburn. Eventually the old skin will be gone and it'll look just like new. That stuff was for cosmetic purposes anyway. Actually Gun Scrubber and a soft tooth brush will finish the job nicely. It was educational for me. For years I've been buying cars with that invisible spray the dealers called "clearcoat". Now I know it's a real product.
 
I am a "big ole bruiser" and will tell you that, when using +P ammunition in my 642, I've found it to be, by far, the most unpleasant handgun I've ever shot. The "boot" style grips don't help matters but, because I'm interested in the best possible concealment, I keep them on.
Alloy constructed J-frame types are necessarily always going to be a compromise between recoil control and ultimate concealibility, especially when using +P stuff. For me, the trade-off is worth it. My usual range practice involves the use of wad-cutters and the like, but I shoot +P occasionally because I carry it regularly.
Practice can never make perfect in this case but it does make better.
 
I've put about 350 rounds through my recently-purchased 637. For its intended purpose- a small, light, close-quarters defense handgun- I think it's great. I clean it with Hoppe's 9, with no finish problems so far. I usually practice with 50 standard .38's and 20 +P's. That's enough. My only physical difficulty was a raw spot on my trigger finger from the trigger guard. Now I put a small Band-Aid on the spot when I practice, and all's well. I believe the 637 is a fine compromise between the all-steel j's, and the light-as-a-feather punishers. It's a very dependable, accurate little buddy.

Chuck
 
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